Thanx for all of the great reviews!!! Here we are, chapter 11. What will happen? Who will know… wait…I do…anywayz, this chapter goes to Angel of Light, who wanted me to update as much as possible. I don't know how much I can update but I know that it is possible to get this chapter out, so here you go. But of course, it also goes to every single one of you who actually read this fic! Enjoy ^_^

Disclaimer: Maybe someday, but not today…

Notes:

Kari's last name is going to be Kamiya, since I already used Yagami for Tai's name.

Mask of Deception

Chapter 11: Clear as Mud

Streets of Odaiba

Monday 6:00 PM

Clank! Went an empty pop can as it skidded down the street after being kicked by a very frustrated Takeru.

"Stupid brother," He muttered to himself. "No…He couldn't possibly be my brother. He's a complete stranger. I don't even know him anymore, not that I knew him any better before. Jerk! What the heck am I supposed to tell mom? Should I tell her that Yamato is here, or should I keep quiet? Life is so complicated."

The sound of his ringing cell phone, rudely interrupted TK's train of thought.

"Hello"

"Hello Falcon, so good to finally get in touch with you." A hoarse voice said.

"Who is this!?"

"Is this a way to treat an old friend? You've turned so cold dear Falcon."

"Tell me who you are now!" TK said angrily.

"Now, now boy, don't be too hasty. If you really want to find out more, come to the entrance of 'intec corp.' and there will be someone there to meet you. 7:00 pm sharp! But I know you won't be late right? You were always so particular about being on time.

Beep---

And the line went dead. This phone didn't help TK's current mood at all. He decided that he had no choice but to go to the appointed place and wait for more information. He didn't have a good feeling about this meeting. He felt as if something from his past was creeping up from behind him. With one last cry of frustration, he kicked the can as far as he could.

Kamiya Residence

Monday 6:00 PM

"I don't know about this Kari…I can't just drop in."

"It will be fine. Mom is always talking about how she wishes she could see you now and how much she misses you. She'll be more than happy to see you!"

Kari excitedly pushed her big brother through the door.

"Mom! I'm home, and I brought a friend!"

"Welcome back!" A voice yelled from down the hallway.

Kari sat Tai down on the living room couch, while she went to change out of her school uniform. Tai took a look around the apartment. It was a nice clean cozy one, with pictures and paintings everywhere. That's when he remembered that his mother loved to paint.

He looked over to one wall, and saw a magnificent painting of a small cottage surrounded by flowers. To Tai, it looked as if it was from a fairy tail. As he looked to another wall, he noticed that it was covered with family pictures, some with him in them, and many without. Most of them were of Kari. Kari with her first bike, he presumed. Kari at a birthday party. Tai had definitely missed a lot of things.

Tai finally heard Kari, and whom he assumed to be his mother, talking in the hall. "Why are you so eager Kari, what has gotten into you?" "Just go in, he's not going to bite!" "That's what you said about your last boyfriend. I'm not ready to trust your taste in men just yet." "Just go in!" And with a great amount of effort, Kari shoved her mother into the living room.

Tai stood up and turned to the direction of his mother who was standing before him. She didn't see him yet, because she was still straitening herself out after being pushed into the living room by Kari.

"Mom?"

Ms. Kamiya looked up and almost fell back. If it weren't for Kari behind her, she would have.

"Oh my… Is that you Taichi?"

Tai just grinned, his trademark lopsided grin, and his mother couldn't deny that it wasn't him.

"Oh my gosh! Taichi!" She said, rushing over to give him a hug. Ms. Kamiya broke into tears of pure joy at the sight of her son. When she finally parted, she took a good look at her grown son.

"Look at you, you've grown so tall," she said, looking at his full height. "and handsome too!" She added with a wink. "What brings you to Odaiba? Did your father decide to move back?" She said, motioning him to sit on the couch beside her.

"Actually," he started. "It was my idea to move here. Dad is still back in Hokkaido."

"Is that so?" She said, still smiling. She then turned to Kari and said, "Kari, I think this is the only boy that I approve of you bringing home!"

This caused Tai to chuckle and Kari to pout. "My taste in men isn't that bad."

"You must be hungry Tai! Why don't you go get washed up, and I'll finish up with dinner!"

"Are you sure it's all right?" Tai asked shyly.

"For heaven sakes child! I am your mother, not some stranger off of the street! Of course it's all right! Now you go ahead and get cleaned up." She said, shoving her son into the bathroom. "Leave your jersey and dirty clothes inside the laundry basket. I'll wash it before you go."

Tai looked at himself and realized that he was still in his jersey. He was glad that he had brought spare clothes. His mother had taught him to always be prepared.

In the bathroom, he let out a sigh of relief and joy. He was finally content. He had found his family. But something deep inside of him was telling him that things weren't all right just yet, but he chose to ignore this feeling as he stepped into the warm water of the bathtub.

Intec Corp

Monday 6:54 PM

"Looks like I'm early." TK said to himself as he glanced at his watch. He put on a pair of sunglasses to conceal his eyes, unsure if it would really help hide his identity, but surely, if they knew his personal number, they were sure to know who he was weren't they?

"I see you're early 'Falcon,' just like the boss said you would be."

It was a tall, big sized man in a suit who spoke.

"So…what did you want to tell me then?" TK asked impatiently.

"You really are impatient. The boss never told me this about you." He said, looking as if he were trying to remember his conversation with his 'boss.'"

"Would you shut up about your boss! It's really pissing me off."

"My, my. Didn't we have a bad day today?" The man teased. "The information I give is based on what you would like to know. In other words, you get to ask one question, and I will give you a hint to answer that question."

"And this will achieve…"

"Aren't you happy Falcon? My boss has taken a liking to you. That's why he's helping you out before the snake bites."

Again, the same phrase that was used by the man on Friday.

"I'm sure that you have an idea of what we are talking about dear Falcon, of course, your partner had no clue what the message meant. He wasn't there was he?"

"And so? Who is this boss of yours?"

"I'm sorry, but the hint to that question has already been given previously."

"The snake?" TK asked.

"That is correct."

"Fine. What does your 'boss' have against me then?"

"That I can answer. Once it's gone, you can't grow it back."

"…what kind of hint was that?"

"That is all that will be said. Good night."

The man started to walk off. TK sighed, then went off in the opposite direction.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Kamiya Residence

Monday 8:43 PM

"I'm so full!" Tai chirped happily "That was the best meal I've had in, well, forever!"

"Glad that you liked it son." His mother said smiling.

Tai took a quick glance at his watch.

"Whoa, it's getting pretty late and I still have homework. I think I had better get going Mom."

"Are you sure you can't stay?"

"Sorry, but I have to get home. I still have a lot of things I have to do. And besides, I wouldn't want to trouble you, but, would it be okay if I came back here tomorrow?"

"Of course dear. You're welcome back anytime!"

"Thanks for the dinner Mom, See you tomorrow at school Kari!" Tai said as he prepared to leave the house. His little sister grabbed him for one last hug before he left, and his mother also joined in the hug. "Goodnight Tai." Kari said.

"Night sis." He said looking down at his little, but grown sister. "Goodnight to you too mom." He said looking at her.

"Be careful on your way home dear. You have our number incase of emergency right?"

"Yes, and you have mine right?"

"Home and cell. Bye dear."

They bid their goodbye's, then Tai left to go home.

Sojoku High

Tuesday 8:04

"Now class, settle down!" The teacher bellowed. "We have another new student here today. You may come in now," he said to the door.

Tai looked up from his book to see who the new student was. Tai's eye's grew wide, and he fell out of his chair. Everyone started laughing, while Sora looked at him with concern.

"No…It cant be. Please, anyone but her!" he gasped.

Everyone in the room was dying to know who this pretty girl was. "She's an angel!" one of the boys exclaimed.

"Could you please introduce yourself?" He asked the girl.

The girl turned to face the class.

"Hello everyone, pleased to meet you. I'm Mimi Tachikawa, and I just moved here from America." She said in a pleasant perky tone.

"Tachikawa-san, lets see." The teacher said as he searched the room for an empty seat.

Tai noticed that the seat to his left was empty and very vacant. 'No. Not here! Please not here!' Tai thought to himself.

"Ah! There's a vacant spot. Over there," he pointed in the direction of Tai. "Right beside Yagami-san"

'NO!!!' Tai screamed in his head.

The girl walked over to Tai first. "Good to see you again too! Tai-chan" She said with a wink, then she took her seat.

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^_^ So?? Surprised?? Didn't expect Mimi to come did you? Hehe, this is where it all starts…I think…anyway please R&R!!